Outstanding Academic Child Health Leadership Opportunity

Chair, Department of Pediatrics & Physician-in-Chief

On behalf of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine (UConn SOM) and Connecticut Children’s, CareerPhysician, the national leader in academic child health executive search and leadership development, is pleased to announce the inception of a national search to identify a transformational leader to serve as the next Chair, Department of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief at one of the nation’s leading independent children’s hospitals.  This represents a unique legacy opportunity to lead an exceptional department with programmatic oversight and strategic responsibility for growth and innovation across all pediatric services, research, and educational programs. 

Key Opportunity Highlights:

• Nationally Ranked Pediatric Care: Named one of the Best Children’s Hospitals in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report (2024–25), with the divisions of Pediatric Pulmonology and Lung Surgery, Neonatology, and Pediatric Gastroenterology and GI Surgery ranked among the top 50 programs in the nation.
• Transformative Facility Expansion: New eight-story inpatient tower with cutting-edge services set to open in late 2025, representing a major investment in innovation, advanced technologies, and expanded patient care.

• Top Honors in Cardiac Care: Achieved four AHA Get With The Guidelines® Resuscitation Awards, recognizing best-in-class survival care across neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations.
• Designated Gold-Level Cardio-Oncology Center: Recognized by the International Cardio-Oncology Society for leadership in innovation and survivorship care.
• Adult Congenital Heart Disease Accreditation: Reaccredited by the Adult Congenital Heart Association for delivering lifelong, specialized cardiac care.
• Significant Expansion in Pediatric Mental Health: Opened a 12-bed Medical Psychiatric Integrated Care Unit, advancing trauma-informed care for medically complex youth.
• Groundbreaking Research and Grant Awards: Faculty have secured $35M+ in competitive NIH, DOD, and large private foundation funding for research, including studies on vaccine development, hematology/ oncology, IBD, fetal care, and regenerative medicine. First in the nation and first in the world clinical trials in GSD.
• State-of-the-art Laboratories: Located at UConn Health and dedicated solely to the Department of Pediatrics.
• Connecticut Children’s Research Institute (CCRI): Drives innovation in pediatric care through groundbreaking support for clinical research. In partnership with The Jackson Laboratory and UConn Health, CCRI offers a collaborative, agile environment to advance the future of children’s health.
• First Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Center in Connecticut: In collaboration with UConn Health, launched one of only two certified PCD centers in New England.
• National Mental Health Workplace Recognition: Awarded the Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health by Mental Health America, affirming a culture of wellness and support for all employees.
• Transformational Philanthropy and Engagement: HuskyTHON raised $1.7M in 2024 alone, bringing total contributions to over $15 million.
• Academic Excellence and Growth: Welcomed 54 new faculty in Pediatrics and Surgery, celebrated 13 promotions, and advanced educational excellence through the Mayo Clinic–affiliated Teaching Academy in 2024.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a proven track record of excellence across academic medicine, clinical care, and research. Candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• MD, DO, MD/PhD, or equivalent degree
• Board Certification in Pediatrics or an appropriate pediatric subspecialty
• Eligibility for permanent, unrestricted medical licensure in Connecticut
• Minimum 10 years combined clinical, academic, and research experience
• At least 5 years leadership/management experience in a medical care environment
• Academic distinction meriting appointment as Professor in the University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Key competencies include:

• Demonstrated strength in administration, financial management, and strategic planning
• A commitment to faculty development, mentorship, and building high-performing teams
• A passion for advancing and demonstrated leadership in pediatric research, education, and patient care

• Demonstrated accomplishments in academic research with success in fostering the growth of funded research portfolios

• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to work effectively within a highly functioning and innovative executive team

Department of Pediatrics

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine is academically based at Connecticut Children’s, an independent, nationally recognized pediatric health system. Since 1996, Connecticut Children’s has served as the principal site for pediatric residency and fellowship training and continues to be the core setting for pediatric education, research, and clinical innovation in the region.

The Department is defined by its commitment to academic excellence, collaborative care, and the development of future leaders in pediatrics. In 2024, the Department continued to grow and excel across all academic missions. More than 50 new faculty members were welcomed, and three new Division Heads - leaders in clinical care and education - were appointed. Faculty achieved notable success in securing federal, state, and private research funding, contributing hundreds of publications and leading innovative investigations across pediatric subspecialties.

The Department also continues to invest in educational innovation through the Teaching Academy, a collaboration with the Mayo Clinic that offers high-impact learning experiences for pediatric trainees.

Learn more: ? 2024 Academic Highlights Report

About Connecticut Children’s

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in the state solely dedicated to the care of children, providing high-quality, family-centered care across more than 30 pediatric specialties at over 40 locations throughout Connecticut, Eastern New York, and Western Massachusetts. As a nationally recognized, 205-bed not-for-profit pediatric hospital and integrated health system, we are committed to transforming children’s health through clinical excellence, groundbreaking research, education, and advocacy.

Our mission is to improve the physical and emotional health of children through collaborative care and innovation. United by our vision—transforming children’s health and well-being as one team—we champion values that include Family-Centered Care, Discovery, Integrity, Teamwork, Quality, and Respect.

Learn more: connecticutchildrens.org/about-us and Superhero Day 2025

Application Process:

Application review begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations and applications, including a current CV and cover letter, may be submitted to Wesley Millican, MBA, CEO and Physician Talent Officer, CareerPhysician, c/o Jennifer Weimer, Director, Candidate Development, at Jennifer@careerphysician.com. All inquiries and applications will remain confidential. Thank you for your time and consideration given to this outstanding leadership opportunity.

UConn Health is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EEO and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer.

Accommodations for Applicants with Disabilities
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We can explore accommodations to help applicants with the application process during the interview as well as the hiring process itself. UConn Health engages in an interactive process with each person making a request for accommodations and reviews the requests on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Please contact 860-679-2426 to request an accommodation.

Non-Discrimination Policy
Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and a Respectful Workplace

UConn is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all its employees and applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities (including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, past/present history of a mental disorder), prior conviction of a crime (or similar characteristic), workplace hazards to reproductive systems, gender identity or expression, or other factors which cannot lawfully be the basis for employment actions.

About University of Connecticut School of Medicine (UConn SOM)

CareerPhysician is the national leader in executive search and leadership development in academic pediatrics with 23 years of unprecedented success supporting the complex faculty and executive leadership needs of Departments of Pediatrics and Child Health Organizations. No one understands the pediatric leadership paradigm and its inherent supply, resource and system challenges better. The firm’s innovative talent acquisition and retention processes are recognized as the gold-standard in academic pediatric recruitment and leadership development. Through its Core Leadership Competencies and partnership with the Child Health Advisory Council, CareerPhysician is exclusively committed to the continued development of current and future physician leaders.

Connections working at University of Connecticut School of Medicine (UConn SOM)